News Release

MnDOT awards $25 million for Local Road Improvement Program projects

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Thirty-six Minnesota cities, counties and townships received funding to improve transportation infrastructure on local roads through the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Local Road Improvement Program.

Approximately $25.3 million in projects will help reduce traffic crashes on rural County State Aid Highways and local roads that have regional significance. The funding also will help pay for the local share of a trunk highway project.

Projects range from roundabouts, sidewalk and pedestrian ramps, widening and repaving of roadways, adding traffic signals and replacing culverts. One new bridge is included in the project list.

“This program promotes local, regional and state economic development, and improves safety on township, city and county roads,” said Commissioner Charlie Zelle.

The program is funded out of the 2017 general obligation bonds.

MnDOT received more than 200 applications totaling more than $584 million. Selection was based on geographical distribution, safety, regional significance, local agency support, construction readiness, impact and availability of other funding sources.

Six projects in Central Minnesota receive funding

Cities and counties in Central Minnesota received a total of $9.6 million to fund the following six projects that will be constructed beginning in 2018 or 2019.

Transportation funding deficit persists

In 2017, Governor Dayton and the Legislature provided an additional $640 million in trunk highway bonding over the next four years as well as $164 million in cash. This additional funding will reduce Minnesota’s annual $600 million transportation funding gap by $200 million for each of the next four years. However, Minnesota’s $600 million annual funding gap will resume beginning again in 2022.